THE REVILLAGIGEDO ISLANDS, MEXICO

Year:2002

Big Fish Heaven

Season: November-June

Visibility: 15-30 metres

Water temperature: 21-27°C (lowest in January-March)

Lying in a remote corner of the Eastern Pacific is a small group of four volcanic islands, known as the Islas Revillagigedo. Isla San Benedicto, more than 300 kilometres offshore, is the closest to Mexico's Baja Peninsula, while Isla Socorro lies 36 kilometres further south. Isla Partida lies to the southwest and Isla Clarion, the farthest from land, lies no less than 597 kilometres from the tip of the Baja Peninsula. Substantial volcanic activity was last recorded in 1993, when Isla Socorro awoke from 145 years of apparent dormancy. A fissure opened up on the ocean floor and gas-filled rocks, some more than 3 metres in diameter, floated to the ocean's surface until the gaseous contents dissipated and allowed the rocks to sink. Except for a small Mexican naval base and a village on the southern tip of Isla Socorro, these desolate little islands remain largely unhabited by man, yet serve as a major gathering place for a variety of large pelagic species. Because of unpredictable weather and the remote offshore location, these islands are visited only by long-range boats and commercial tuna-fishing vessels. All boats require a permit to visit the Revillagigedo Islands, as they were declared a National Protected Area by the Mexican Government in 1994. From Cabo San Lucas, Solmar V takes 23 hours to reach the islands.

Like the Galapagos and Cocos Island, these isolated volcanic landmasses offer incredible adventures in diving and an outstanding collection of marine species. Manta encounters must surely be at the top of most divers' wish lists, and it is here at Boiler that these wishes are most likely to be fulfilled. At the northwest tip of Isla San Benedicto, Boiler is an underwater pinnacle found just 8 metres below the surface and dropping to a sandy bottom at 36 metres. The appearance of some of the Pacific's largest Manta Rays have been regularly recorded on this seamount, since these enormous delta-winged creatures enjoy the luxury of attending a cleaning station where resident King and Clarion Angelfish, along with Barberfish, remove troublesome parasites. When Manta Rays wish to interact with divers they typically approach overhead and enjoy bathing in the rush of divers' bubbles. It is possible to make gentle contact with the Manta Rays, although gloves, along with lights and dive knives, are not permitted. The undersurface of the Manta Ray is exceptionally rough and can remove the skin from the palm of the hand, so be careful!

O'Neal Rock (also known as Hammerhead Central) on Isla Socorro is the place to expect shark excitement. Scalloped Hammerheads, Silky Sharks, Galapagos Sharks and Grey Reef Sharks have been regularly sighted here. A large rocky plateau at 12 metres attracts large schools of reef fish along with lobsters, rays and eels. Below the plateau, a cavern in the wall at 27 metres forms a scenic backdrop for underwater photographers with a wide-angle lens.

At the North End of Isla Socorro some rocks protrude from the surface of the sea. Here, at 15 metres, a series of large boulders serve as home to large schools of some of the Eastern Pacific's 'speciality' species. Stunning bright orange Clarion Angelfish form large schools. The more richly-patterned juveniles bear bright blue slashes on the body, which gradually fade as they reach maturity. The smart Red-tailed (because it has a red tail!) or Crosshatch (because its golden body bears scales with dark outlines, giving a cross-hatched appearance) Triggerfish is found here in the Revilla Gigedos Islands as well as in the Galapagos and Hawaii. At about 9 metres depth the volcanic terrain takes on a moonscape-like character with swim throughs and pockets in the rock. Sea urchins, starfish, Socorro Lobsters and octopus are the local residents here. Shy moray eels, peeping from their day-time resting places, draw back at the approach of the diver.

Roca Pardita, a lone outcrop of rock rising 30 metres above the sea and only 70 metres in diameter, is a magnet for passing pelagic species. Almost vertical walls drop to a depth of over 70 metres. Large schools of jacks, tuna and mackerel can be found here and, of course, with so much food swimming around in the ocean, sharks often turn up to see what snacks they can catch!

SOLMAR V

Solmar V is a luxurious liveaboard offering space for 22 guests in 12 cabins. Superior cabins are located midships and standard cabins are located towards the front of the boat. Each air-conditioned cabin has a private bathroom with sink, shower and head along with built in colour television and VCR. The interior of the boat has been carefully designed in rich polished mahogany inset with brass fittings, and with forest green upholstery and carefully-chosen artwork reflecting underwater scenes. Seating in the main salon is provided by four large, well-upholstered U-shaped booths.

The large quarter deck has a special camera table and bench-style tank racks with good-sized gear-storage bins below. There are four rinse tanks (two for cameras/computers and two for dive gear) and two freshwater showers. The stern features a broad, full-width dive deck with a super-wide, in-water ladder to facilitate easy exit from the water, although two 7-metre inflatable pangas are used to drop and retrieve divers at specific sites, if need be. The owners of Solmar V have created a boat that combines the service expected of a deluxe resort hotel with the special requirements of a luxury liveaboard diving vessel. Three gourmet meals are prepared and served daily, along with pre- and post-dive snacks.

Between late October and mid-June Solmar V offers a series of 8 nights cruises to the Revillagigedo Islands, with five and a half days of diving. The cruises commence at Cabo San Lucas at the southern tip of Baja California. Guests are picked up from the Solmar Suites Hotel and join the boat in the afternoon on the day of the cruise departure and leave the boat after an early breakfast on the last day.

Cruise Schedule: 4-12 January, 13-21 January, 23-31 January, 2-10 February, 12-20 February, 22 February-2 March, 3-11 March, 13-21 March, 23-31 March, 2-10 April, 12-20 April, 21-29 April, 1-9 May, 10-18 May, 19-27 May, 31 May-8 June, 30 October-7 November, 8-16 November, 17-25 November, 27 November-5 December, 6-14 December, 15-23 December, 28 December-5 January.

£2239 for a Standard Stateroom.

£2315 for a Deluxe Stateroom.

Includes:

· 8 nights cruise on Solmar V on a twin/share basis with full board including soft drinks, beer and wine with dinner.

· 5 full days of diving (usually 3 or 4 dives per day) plus one or two dives on the last day, cylinders and weights.

Please note: Airport transfers are not included, but there is a shuttle bus service between the airport and the Solmar Suites Hotel costing US $12-15 one-way.

Single Occupancy Supplement: If you are travelling alone and are willing to share a twin cabin with a fellow passenger of the same sex you can avoid paying any supplement. If you prefer to have a cabin to yourself a 50% supplement applies.

Deposit: £600

FLIGHTS

The airfares shown are the least expensive fare category available at the time of going to press. We will quote you the airfare applicable, based on current fare levels and booking class availability, at the time of booking. The usual airfare deposit is £100.

UNITED AIRLINES

Daily morning departures from London (Heathrow) to Los Angeles. Onward afternoon flight from Los Angeles to San Lucas by Alaska Airlines, arriving in the early evening. Daily afternoon return flights from San Lucas via Los Angeles, arriving at London (Heathrow) the following morning.

£726 for departures 1 January-21 March, 1-30 April, 1 November-19 December, 24-31 December.

£873 for departures 1 May-30 June, 1-31 October.

£903 for departures 22-31 March.

£1003 for departures 18-23 December.

Weekend Supplement: £10 each way for departures from London or San Lucas on Fridays, Saturdays or Sundays.

Includes:

· Scheduled flights London (Heathrow)/Los Angeles/London (Heathrow) by United Airlines.

· Scheduled flights Los Angeles/San José del Cabo/Los Angeles by Alaska Airlines.

Overnights at Cabo San Lucas: For those travelling from Europe to join Solmar V, one night's hotel accommodation is required in Cabo San Lucas before the start of the cruise . The cost for a night at the first class Hotel Solmar is £65 for room-only on a twin/share basis (or £130 for single occupancy). There is a shuttle bus service between the airport and the Hotel Solmar costing US $12-15 one-way.